After months of anticipation, the first UK’s Heating Installer of the Year has finally been announced as Dennis Hollingworth of Hollingworth Heating, Stockport, following an overwhelming public vote. 

Taking home the inaugural UK Heating Installer of the Year award, Dennis, representing the North, was announced as the winner during a special presentation at industry trade show Installer2016 on 11^th May 2016. He overcame competition from seven other regional winners to take the national title after thousands of supporters from across the country cast their votes online.

Speaking of his new title as the UK’s best heating installer, Dennis said: “I’m absolutely speechless; it’s an incredible honour to win the award and be recognised as the best in my trade. The fact that I’ve been voted for by my customers is the icing on the cake. Providing them with a great service and top quality heating solutions is my number one priority and I’m looking forward to sharing the news with them that I’ve won the competition thanks to their support. I’ve loved being part of the process and if any installers are thinking of entering the awards next year, I’d wholeheartedly recommend it.”

Judge Chris Ingram, founder of Continental Underfloor, head sponsor and the company which established the awards, said: “The Heating Installer of the Year Awards has been a tremendous, collective effort from the Continental team along with our other sponsors – Graham the Plumbers’ Merchant, Vaillant, Adey, Daikin and Installer. Together we have helped build a credible awards event which champions brilliant examples of work carried out by the people working in our industry.

“Thousands of tradesmen and women graft relentlessly on a daily basis to provide comfort and warmth to families across the country. These people install energy efficient heating solutions to help lower bills and protect our environment. They also go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure homes continue to run when an emergency strikes.

“Dennis is a prime example of this. The fact he has been announced as the winner of the competition is testament to the great service he provides to the people of Stockport and beyond. When the judges and I saw his entry back in March, we were so impressed with his calibre of service, professionalism and ability to install energy efficient heating solutions that are proven to make a different to families and homeowners. We knew immediately that he would be a contender. I wish him every luck for the future, and encourage heating installers across the country to get involved in the next Heating Installer of the Year awards.”

Ian Dickson, of Dickson’s Heating Engineers Ltd, Horsham, came a close second in the competition.

He said: “Being crowned Heating Installer of the Year for the South West was a great achievement in itself and completely unexpected so to come runner up in the national competition is amazing. There’s no shame in losing to someone like Dennis – he’s a great guy and an outstanding professional. Since winning the South West title, we’ve already seen an uplift in business and have won new contracts, including for a Housing Association, as a direct result. I’m looking forward to letting my customers know about my national success and using it to secure future business.”

Nominations for the first Heating Installer of the Year Awards opened in November 2015, aiming to find the industry’s champions by asking tradesmen and women to submit exemplary examples of work undertaken over the last 12 months. A panel of industry experts met to judge hordes of entries submitted to the awards scheme. They selected eight regional winners, including Dennis, that stood out for demonstrating exceptional professionalism, happy customers and instances of going above and going the extra mile for clients.

Sponsored by Continental Underfloor, Installer Magazine, Adey, Daikin, Graham The Plumbers’ Merchant and Vaillant Group UK, information about the awards can be found by visiting www.hi-awards-2016.org.uk, following @HIOTY_Awards on Twitter and liking Heating Installer of the Year Awards on Facebook.